EVs are better, but not perfect

Re “E-cars might save the planet but scorch the Earth,” July 25

It seems we never learn. We continue to seek the most complex solutions to every problem because we refuse to accept the alternative.

During lockdown, we worked from home, stayed in a small geographic area and used only the resources we really needed. And we could continue to do so, dramatically cutting the need for personal transportation.

Instead, we return to plumbing resources without really knowing what the long-term effects may be — kind of like when they first started pumping oil out of the ground.

Dawn Halloran

North Hollywood

It is misleading to point out the downsides of battery technology for electric vehicles without seriously considering the downsides of oil too.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 1.3 million gallons of petroleum are spilled into U.S.

waters annually, and that is without a major oil spill. Our dependence on oil results in wars over foreign reserves and tailpipe emissions from cars, trucks and buses.

Every technology has an impact, so let’s work on improving electric vehicles to have even less impact on the planet. Just like manufacturers took the lead out of gas and created catalytic converters to emit fewer particulates, electric-vehicle makers should come under stringent mandates to have an even smaller footprint than they do now.

It would be better for the world if The Times did not scare away potential electric-vehicle drivers, since it is obvious that we have to get off gas and oil as fast possible.

Alexandra Paul

Pacific Palisades